This is going to be a LONG post.... get ready. I have to start back from the beginning, summer of 08, to catch you up to speed with where we are now.
As an art major at Harding University I had always dreamed of visiting Italy. It wasnt until my junior year that a new program became available that was designed specifically for art students. As opposed to the normal semester abroad study programs, this program was only for the month of July. It was much more affordable, and I would be studying mostly my upper level art courses.
Long story short, I purchased the plane ticket and arrived at the Avanti Italia Bible School in Scandicci the beginning of July. Because this was a completely different program our group of ten girl art students, stayed instead of at the Harding Villa, at the Avanti italia Bible school. This was the first time I had even heard of the program. After living at the school and in italy for over a month, I completely feel in love with the culture, people, and country of Italia.
Returning to the states in mid august of that year, Eric and I were forever changed. Our eyes had been opened to the world around us, and a desire to expand our hearts began.
in the mid time, our life was in transit. i was finishing up school in the next summer and Eric and i had some major decisions coming our way. where did we want to be? to go? careers? more education?? by this point eric had already been working for the Sate Dept 3 yrs and felt that he was just beginning to feel settled. he also was in the process of obtaining his Surveyors Licence. i also was still undecided. i would be graduating with a BFA in Painting, which would set me up to get my Masters of Fine Arts. I have always desired this. However, the details were foggy. Cut to the point, we ended up finding a nice house just outside of Little Rock and settled in. We purchased the house in April of 09 and by July we were itching. Thoughts of Avanti and Italia flooded our minds. we wanted to go, now was the time...but how? we began researching.....still having just bought a house, unsure about funding, we were unclear about the details. After much prayer and consideration, it was around August that we made our decision- we were going.
We decided to step out in faith. We prayed for strength and encouragement and that if this was truly Gods will that HE would make it possible.
As an art major at Harding University I had always dreamed of visiting Italy. It wasnt until my junior year that a new program became available that was designed specifically for art students. As opposed to the normal semester abroad study programs, this program was only for the month of July. It was much more affordable, and I would be studying mostly my upper level art courses.
Long story short, I purchased the plane ticket and arrived at the Avanti Italia Bible School in Scandicci the beginning of July. Because this was a completely different program our group of ten girl art students, stayed instead of at the Harding Villa, at the Avanti italia Bible school. This was the first time I had even heard of the program. After living at the school and in italy for over a month, I completely feel in love with the culture, people, and country of Italia.
Returning to the states in mid august of that year, Eric and I were forever changed. Our eyes had been opened to the world around us, and a desire to expand our hearts began.
in the mid time, our life was in transit. i was finishing up school in the next summer and Eric and i had some major decisions coming our way. where did we want to be? to go? careers? more education?? by this point eric had already been working for the Sate Dept 3 yrs and felt that he was just beginning to feel settled. he also was in the process of obtaining his Surveyors Licence. i also was still undecided. i would be graduating with a BFA in Painting, which would set me up to get my Masters of Fine Arts. I have always desired this. However, the details were foggy. Cut to the point, we ended up finding a nice house just outside of Little Rock and settled in. We purchased the house in April of 09 and by July we were itching. Thoughts of Avanti and Italia flooded our minds. we wanted to go, now was the time...but how? we began researching.....still having just bought a house, unsure about funding, we were unclear about the details. After much prayer and consideration, it was around August that we made our decision- we were going.
We decided to step out in faith. We prayed for strength and encouragement and that if this was truly Gods will that HE would make it possible.
It wasnt one thing that changed me that summer- not a big moment that I can say aha!that's it! I feel as though my whole life God has prepared me and more importantly MY HEART for His work. My favorite Bible verse is in Philipians, 1: 6, NKJ "Being confident of this very thing- that He who has began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ." This verse is a promise that God is willing to do good work in ME. isnt that an awesome promise?? Ive always been in search of more. . . . I believe that the sky is the limit to all those who love and serve Jesus the Christ.
Love is the key . When Jesus broke it down in the New Testament He said in Matthew 22:37- 39 "Jesus said to him "You shall love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: " You shall love your neighbor as yourself." This life is about making relationships. Loving each other as Christ did-this is what its all really about.
Love is the key . When Jesus broke it down in the New Testament He said in Matthew 22:37- 39 "Jesus said to him "You shall love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: " You shall love your neighbor as yourself." This life is about making relationships. Loving each other as Christ did-this is what its all really about.
In Italy I stumbled upon a place that I felt that I could make a difference. I feel in love with the culture, the land, the people. At the end of the day I want to know that I have not only loved God with my whole heart, but served Him with my whole heart as well. I feel He has prepared me for this. This fall Eric and I applied to be missionaries at the Bible school in Scandicci Italy. There is lots to be done before the time comes to leave. Financially, emotionally, spiritually, ALOT to prepare. We are praying everyday and giving Him to reigns. This blog is dedicated to our journey.
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